Partridgeberry is a common North American native. The genus, Mitchella, was assigned by
Linnaeus himself to honor Dr. John Mitchell, the physician who developed a treatment for
yellow fever.

Identification: This very low-lying, rather delicate vine is rarely more than
2" (5 cm) in height and up to 12" (30 cm) long. The stems can form new plants, leading to larger
colonies.
Leaves are opposite and oval or heart-shaped, about ½" (1.3 cm) long, with a prominent
light green central vein. Each leaf is dark and shiny on top, pale and yellowish below. Flowers are
tubular, with four sharp-tipped petals, white or slightly pink, ½-¾" (1.3-1.9 cm) long and ⅜" (9.5 mm)
in diameter. They appear from May to July. One red, misshapen berry ¼-½" (6.3-12 mm) in diameter—actually two fused berries—grows for each pair of flowers. The berries and foliage
of this evergreen last throughout the winter. Each berry contains 8 seeds.

Thanks to Hélène Boulianne for correctly identifying these, which were originally identified as
the similar-appearing
Gaultheria procumbens.